Published: September 5, 2025
Chapter 621: Discussion in the Loft
The thirteenth day of the internal competition within Luoyun Sect—the final round of the selection trials—was drawing to a close.
At this moment, inside a pavilion halfway up the main peak, seven or eight core formation stage cultivators had gathered, discussing something earnestly.
Among them were the two peak masters of Heaven Spring Peak: a middle-aged man with the surname Xin and a gray-robed elder with a somewhat fierce-looking face. The others also seemed to be formidable individuals.
“This time, is there still no one among you junior brothers willing to take the lead?” asked a white-bearded elder dressed in blue robes, frowning slightly.
“Hmph! Senior Brother Feng, the sword trial tournament is supposed to be a joint competition among the three sects, but every time, our two sects end up defeated, making the Ancient Sword Sect look good. And the Ancient Sword Sect’s team leader this time is definitely that sharp-tongued Jiang Yun fellow. I don’t want to be unfairly insulted,” replied a casual-looking middle-aged man with two small mustaches above his lips.
“Exactly! I’ve heard that the Ancient Sword Sect recruited another disciple with the 'Nine Spirits Sword Body' a few years ago. They will definitely send him out to compete this year. What’s the point of this sword trial tournament then? Although we have some disciples with special physiques, they are no match for theirs. Also, I heard that the Hundred Skills Courtyard recently accepted a direct descendant from the Shangguan family. He reportedly defeated his family elders using a magical artifact he forged himself while still in the qi refining stage! He will be hard to deal with as well!” said another pale-faced elder, shaking his head.
The white-bearded elder showed dissatisfaction upon hearing this.
“Two junior brothers, what you say is not without reason. The sword trial tournament has indeed become a demonstration of power by the Ancient Sword Sect against our two sects. But who asked them to be so powerful with strength greater than ours? If our sect doesn’t send disciples to participate, we might not even get a quarter of the refined liquid. Moreover, that would make the Ancient Sword Sect hostile toward Luoyun Sect, which is not good for our long-term development on Yunmeng Mountain. After all, there are many other sects coveting the mountain, not just one or two. Our three sects must not let others take advantage of us,” said the white-bearded elder gravely.
“Since Senior Brother Feng says so, I’ll be the team leader then. After all, I haven’t met with Elder Changzheng of the Hundred Skills Courtyard for a long time. It won’t hurt to chat a bit,” said the elder in red robes sitting opposite the white-bearded elder, his square face looking dignified.
“Junior Brother Duan, as leader of Huoyun Peak with many disciples under you, isn’t it inappropriate for you to leave like this?” Elder Feng of the white-bearded elder hesitated on hearing this.
“It’s alright. Junior Brother Li remains at Huoyun Peak; nothing will go wrong. Besides, it’s not leaving Yunmeng Mountain, just flying from the Eastern Vein to the Western Vein, which takes only about a day,” the red-robed elder replied noncommittally.
Upon hearing this, the white-bearded elder no longer insisted and nodded in agreement. Then, his gaze swept across the others’ faces before finally resting on the gray-robed elder with the fierce expression.
“Junior Brother Yu, I know you don’t have much to do at Heaven Spring Peak. This time, why not assist Junior Brother Duan? Elder Xin, you have no objections?” The white-bearded elder’s last words were directed at the middle-aged man surnamed Xin.
“Of course not. As long as Junior Brother Yu is willing,” Xin replied with a faint smile.
The gray-robed elder’s cold expression twitched slightly and, after a moment, said briefly, “Fine, I’ll go.”
Hearing this, the white-bearded elder showed a pleased expression, nodded, and said, “This time, the team leader will be Junior Brother Duan, with Junior Brother Yu and Junior Female Disciple Song from White Phoenix Peak assisting. After today’s final round, gather the thirty selected disciples and give them some guidance. Perhaps we still have a chance in this tournament. After all, our disciples include some strong candidates. We should be able to contend with the Ancient Sword Sect and Hundred Skills Courtyard.”